Introduction
This is me after a long day at my field site in Swanton, VT summer 2017!
My name is Kunal Palawat. I am a senior in the Rubenstein School studying Environmental Science. I have a concentration in Agriculture and the Environment. I also have a minor in soil science and plant biology. Basically, I love dirt and plants. I work in Carol Adair’s lab: Terrestrial Biogeochemistry for a Changing World. I study all things soil microorganism. One study focuses on soil fauna and litter decomposition by assessing carbon isotope ratios. Another project studies the microbial role in nutrient cycling in agricultural riparian zones.
My interests lie in plant root and soil interactions, microbial biogeochemical cycling, and food systems. I also have a strong desire to incorporate social justice and equity into my research.